Hip-Hop
Inside Kanye West’s ‘Donda’ Event, 4 Out of 40,000 Fans Got COVID-19 Vaccine
Before the event, the stadium remained active in its attempts to get fans vaccinated. On Aug. 4, the venue announced a two-hour pop-up for Atlanta Falcons fans looking to attend that weekend’s team open practice. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium rep informs Billboard that “about 30” vaccines were distributed for the Falcons Open Practice and that they “will continue to have vaccines available for Falcons games this NFL season.” From January to June, the sports and entertainment stadium has served as a community vaccination site for Atlanta residents. On Saturday, a mobile vaccination clinic operated for four hours ahead of Garth Brooks’ concert at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, and only 35 of the more than 70,000 concertgoers took advantage of...
Of 7 Female Collabs Ever Nominated for VMA Video of the Year, Which is Your Favorite? Vote!
The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards announced nominations on Wednesday (Aug. 11), and for the first time in the show’s history, two female collaborations are vying for the coveted video of the year accolade. “WAP” by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion and “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat featuring SZA are both up for the honors this year, competing against “Popstar” by DJ Khaled featuring Drake (starring Justin Bieber), “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X and “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd. Besides “WAP,” other all-female collabs that were nominated for video of the year and also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 includ...
Lil Nas X Would Rather Not Speak on Homophobia in Rap: ‘It’s More For My Own Safety’
He doesn’t know for sure if the video inspired the stranger to go after him, but he felt like it “couldn’t be a coincidence.” Rapper Jack Harlow, who appears in the “Baby” video, praised Lil Nas for “giving a voice to a lot of people and kids who could use one. I think the community he represents could use someone who’s succeeding on a mainstream level — where it can feel like, ‘Yo, you can be No. 1. You can be the greatest.’ I really recognize what he’s doing and I admire him. I admired him long before we met.” Lil Nas X, 22, also got props from pop icon Elton John, who dubbed the rapper a “bold and brave provocateur who’s making amazing and inspiring music. He’s pushing the boundaries of urban music by wholeheartedly embrac...
Billboard Explains: How R&B/Hip-Hop Became the Biggest Genre in the U.S.
Since 2017, R&B/hip-hop has been the dominant music genre on the United States Billboard charts, becoming bigger than pop and rock and coming to define modern popular music. And its reign hasn’t let up since, with new smashes and superstars created every year. So how did it happen? How did R&B/hip-hop pull into first place on the charts? The latest episode of Billboard Explains breaks down exactly how R&B/hip-hop became the biggest genre in the U.S., by looking at its early influence, innovative evolutions and explosion in the streaming era. You’ll hear commentary from Billboard hip-hop editor Carl Lamarre on why exactly the genre is leading pop culture. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins wit...
Eminem’s Ex-Wife Kim Scott Hospitalized Following Suicide Attempt
Eminem’s ex-wife, Kim Scott, was hospitalized following a suicide attempt on July 30th. TMZ reports that police and EMS were called to Scott’s home in Michigan for a welfare check. She was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and a psychological evaluation, and has since been released. After meeting in high school, Scott and Eminem initially married in 1999, but divorced in 2001. They later remarried in 2006 only to separate again later that year. They have one biological child together, Hailie Jade, who was born in 1995. They also share two adopted children. Advertisement Related Video Scott has long battled addiction and mental health issues. She previously attempted to take her own life in 2001, and again in 2015. The couple’s relationship has inspired numerous Eminem s...
50 Cent Says DaBaby Will Bounce Back: ‘Remember They Canceled Chris Brown 5, 6 Times?’
The response has been swift, with the hip-hop star dropped from a spate of music festival lineups including Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, Austin City Limits, Day N Vegas, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Music Midtown Festival and a concert organized by Working Families Party. And DaBaby’s ill-advised comments have been criticized by a string of artists including Elton John, Madonna and Dua Lipa, who worked with the hip-hop star on “Levitating.” 50 Cent doesn’t believe the damage done to DaBaby’s career will be long-term. In an interview with E!’s Nightly Pop, the “In Da Club” star brushed off the controversy and put it down to baby steps. When asked by co-hosts Morgan Stewart McGraw, Nina Parker and Hunter March whether he’ll bounce back, Fiddy said, “Yeah, he will. As long as he keeps his con...
De La Soul Announce Their Full Catalog Is Coming to Streaming Services This Year
At long last, De La Soul are bringing their back catalog to streaming services. The group recently acquired the rights to their masters, finally giving the hip-hop luminaries the opportunity to make their music digitally available on their terms. “Our catalog will be released this year, we are trying to work hard and diligently along with the good folks up at Reservoir. We sat down and we got it done pretty quick actually — maybe in two weeks’ time tops,” said Dave “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur on Instagram Live. “Music will be released [in] 2021 on all streaming platforms — we’re trying to get the whole catalog out there. There’s a lot of back work that needs to be done, so that’s why it’s taking a little time to get that out.” Watch the full announcement below. Earlier this week, Tali...
R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: IAMDDB, Young Nudy, Joy Crookes & More
Jenevieve, “Résumé” There’s nothing more to say after Jenevieve’s newest track, other than she is on a roll this year with knockout singles. Her fifth single of 2021 — following June’s “Midnight Charm” — the Florida-born artist sings over vibey guitar about her lasting fingerprints left on the person she’s moving on from. Jon Vinyl, “Void” “Let’s let the serotonin flow,” JON VINYL proclaims in one of the warmest, most welcoming tracks of the year. The Toronto artist’s vocals sit perfectly in the pocket of his tight-knit rhythm section, in what marks his third single of the year. Sans Soucis, “On Time For Her” Soucis’ feather-light vocals layer in a drone that loops over and over as she reminds herself of the person she most needs to support: herself. An edgy bass moves th...
Jennifer Hudson Recalls Final Conversation With Aretha Franklin
That includes Hudson, who was personally selected by Franklin to play her. The two began conversations years ago, shortly after Hudson won an Oscar for her star-making turn in Dreamgirls in 2007. They stayed in touch and became longtime friends that would speak on a near-weekly basis. During a brief conversation with THR on the carpet, Hudson recalled her last conversation with Franklin, a chat that happened days before her passing at age 76 on Aug. 16, 2018. “The last time I heard her voice was August 8,” she explained. “It’s odd that here we are again, on August 8, three years later. Right after we spoke, they told me she was no longer competent enough to speak but she sang to me on our call and we talked about my son and his cooking. She loves to cook and so does he. I sent her a video ...
R. Kelly Trial Begins With Jury Selection: On the Scene at NYC Courthouse
After the potential jurors filed into the courtroom gallery, Judge Ann M. Donnelly addressed the group, emphasizing the anonymity of selected jurors. Donnelly explained that U.S. marshals would accompany jurors to and from the courthouse each day, in response to the onslaught of media attention and high-profile status of the case. In August 2020, charges were filed against associates of Kelly for witness tampering, another factor playing into the decision for a partially sequestered and anonymous jury. “Nobody knows what your names are,” Donnelly reassured. “I don’t want anyone…trying to get your take on [the trial].” Donnelly questioned potential jurors, inquiring about their hobbies, jobs, experiences with law enforcement and views on same-sex relation...
DaBaby Retracts Apology for Homophobic Rant
DaBaby has retracted his apology to the LGBTQ+ community which he made in response to the growing controversy over his homophobic rant at last month’s Rolling Loud Festival. Amidst public outcry, the rapper posted the apology to Instagram on August 2nd. “Social media moves so fast that people want to demolish you before you even have the opportunity to grow, educate, and learn from your mistakes,” DaBaby wrote. “As a man who has had to make his own way from very difficult circumstances, having people I know publicly working against me– knowing that what I needed was education on these topics and guidance– has been challenging. I appreciate the many people who came to me with kindness, who reached out to me privately to offer wisdom, education, and resources. That’s what I needed and it was...
DaBaby’s Apology for Homophobic Comments Has Been Removed From His Instagram Account
In the post, the rapper had said, “I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important. Love to all. God bless.” “Social media moves so fast that people want to demolish you before you even have the opportunity to grow, educate, and learn from your mistakes,” he wrote in the now-removed note. “As a man who has had to make his own way from very difficult circumstances, having people I know publicly working against me— knowing that what I needed was education on these topics and guidance— has been challenging. I appreciate the many people who came to me with kindness, who reached out to me privately to offer ...
